The government’s coronavirus restrictions could be eased as early as this week, as Prime Minister Scott Morrison is reportedly set to greenlight gatherings of up to 10 people in a home.
Morrison is expected to announce changes to restrictions following a scheduled meeting with national cabinet on Friday, 7News reported.
While individual states and territories will decide when they each ease restrictions, the PM reportedly wanted to fast-track the process.
Morrison said the restrictions cost the Australian economy $4 billion a week.
“That cost will continue so long as we have Australians in a position where they are unable to open their businesses and go back to the offices, children unable to go back to school, and the many restrictions in place,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
“That is why the national cabinet has been working very effectively … as we move towards the decisions we need to take on Friday that will impact on these restrictions in weeks and months that are ahead.”
Deputy chief medical officer Paul Kelly said Australia is meeting the three key criteria for easing restrictions: extensive testing regime, contact tracing and local-level response.
But he said the rules will be eased “gradually”.
“Some things will open – others will not,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
“It will be scaled so that risk of increasing the number of cases is minimised while giving the maximum benefit to the economy and to normalisation of society.”
